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Book_ 



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PBESIDEHT. 



" He bchi^deati, yet .9/m/irM."— Hebrew 11, iv. 



BY 



MRS. E. W. ALLDERDICE. 



A SEXiUEf. TO 
OVER THE HILL TO THE WHITE HOUSE. 



NEW YORK: 

DEN I SON & COMPANY, 

1881 



Copyright, 1881, 

DeNISON & COMI'ANY, 

New Yokk. 






.A 



36 



fitcnorrveo •» c»»i.ii« •'<•»'• 



DEDICATED 
WITH AFFECTIONATE SYMPATHY 

TO THE 

HEROIC WIFE 

OF 

PRESIDENT GARFIELD. 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



YSjfll HEN, amid all the bright smToimdings and 
W^uy glorious anticipations of Inauguration 
Day, I penned my ]3oem " Over the Hill to the 
White House," I little thought it would ever be 
])ossible for me to write so sad a sequel ; to trans- 
crilje such a history of suffering of the nation's 
President, who was then in the very fuUness of 
his power, both mentally and physically. Yet the 
world has seldom witnessed so gTand a spectacle 
of courage, heroism and Christian fortitude as 
has been exhibited by that bedside, where the 
sympathies of all Christendom have centered, since 
the fatal Second day of July. The devotion and 
bravery of his wdfe, herself little more than an in- 
vahd, the dutiful affection of his children, the 
patient resignation of his aged mother, and the 
loyalty of friends and people, teach us all a never- 
to-be-forgotten lesson. Doubtless, when we have 
recovered from the fearful shock of his loss, we 
shall be able to see the finger of God pointing to 
this sublime example and shall feel that our 
beloved mai-tyr has not suffered and died in vain. 

E. W. A. 



OUR PRESIDENT, 



Toll moui'Df iil bells, prone on their knees, 

Let all the people pray! 
Pray for the nation from Avhose midst 

The chief has passed away ! 

Pray not for him ! his sufferings ceased 
With this frail mortal breath, 

He won the first grand prize in life, 
And almost conquered death. 

Never can history recall, 

A fight so bravely fought; 
A thousand dangers surged before 

The safety port he sought. 



8 OUR PRESIDENT. 

Tortured and torn and l^uffeted, 
He strufci^led on with niiiilit, 

The goal of his people's welfare 
Forever in his sight. 

He had battled hard 'gainst wind and tidt-, 
But now his strengtli was gone. 

Yet, 'mid the fever and rack of pain, 
His mighty brain worked on. 

The crazy zealot's dastard bloAv, 
Had crushed his manhood's powei*, 

But faith in God upheld his will, 
And strengthened every hour. 

He saw the cruel breakers rise, 

About his Ship of State, 
And knew his guiding hand must save 

The bark from adverse fate. 



OUR PRESIDEKT. 9 

The oath he swore to guide it well, 

Still sounded in his ear, 
And 'mid the pulse of his fever's swell 

He heard the j^eople cheer. 

Cheer with a o-lad resounding: shout. 

On that eventful day, 
When over fifty million hearts 

He held such wondrous sway. 

When in his grand, athletic might, 
He rose to his feet and l)o^ved. 

Despite the speed of his horses fleet. 
Which bore him throuG:h the crowd. 

Bowed to them all with courtly grace, 

Swinging his hat on high. 
While the pleasure in his kindly face, 

Brought joy to every eye. 



10 OUR TRESIDENT. 

The man lie vaiiqinsbecl owned Ills might 

^VnJ loyal homage gave, 
He felt our new-born President 

AVas competent as brave. 

Hiij^ht royally he wore his crown. 

With kindly patience heard 
Each ])lea for help ; each tale of Avoe 

His heart with pity stirred. 

Yet judgment ever held the curb 
And tempered love with right, 

His country and his country's good, 
Were foremost in his siirht. 

Xo future honors tempted him. 

Nor flatterers' sii-en voice ; 
His policy was clear and true, 

The rii*;ht was e'er his choice. 



OUR PRESIDENT. 1 1 

Quick to perceive, strong to retain^ 
Replete with Christian grace, 

His judgments no distinction kne^r. 
In color, state, or race. 

The hearts of all rejoiced in him, 
Through this bright peaceful land. 

And none surmised the murderous spite, 
AVhich nerved the maniac's hand. 

Alas that God in mercy had 

Xot stayed the fatal blow. 
With fiendish aim the shot sped home. 

And laid our chieftain low. 

One moment glad, erect and bright. 

On peaceful mission l)ent, 
Another, stricken to the earth, 

With keenest torture rent. 



]'2 OTR PRESIDEXT. 

Tlu! air is iiUed with cries and o-roans, 

" Our President is dead ; " 
Scarce could the trembling crow(.^l)e]ieve 

The words around them said. 

NVliere is our grand Republic's poAver, 
When crimes like this can be ? 

Crime which has sprung from despot's rule 
'Mid Russian tyranny ! 

Where is our vaunted safety here, 
Our cherished pride of birth, 

In this great land of liberty, 
God's favored s]3ot of earth. 

"Go, tear the dastard limb from limb! 

He shall not live an hour!" 
Murmured the dvinc: President: 

"Respect the law's sure power." 



OUR PRESIDENT. 13 

Even amid the shades of death 
His country cLaimed his thought; 

]S'o blot should stain the honored land 
For which he nobly fought. 

That ^vord sufficed, the people fall 
Back from the assassin's path, 

And he within a prison's cell, 
Escapes their righteous ^vrath. 

LoAY spake the tortured President, 

To those about his bed : 
''Is there a chance?" "A sinirle one."' 

''We'll take that chance," he said. 

"(jod hel]-) my wife, when called uj)on 

This fearful stroke to meet! 
Go, bring her quickly to my side. — 

Go break the news to Crete." 



14 OUR TRESIDENT. 

His boyhood's love, his manhood's stay, 

The sharer of each care, — 
Potent to soothe in grief and pain, 

Alas! she is not there! 

She seeks afar mnch -needed health. 
But he! her love and pride! — 

Self was forgot — her only jii'ayer: 
''Quick, take me to his side!" 

The meetino^ between those two heai'ts, 

None but the angels saw: 
For statesmen, surgeons, nurses, all, 

Drew back in silent awe. 

But Christ's own grace sustained them 
They bowed beneath the rod, [l)oth: 

And humbly and submissively 
Left the decree witli God. 



OT'Il TiiEdlDENT. 15 

Long niontlis of untold agony 

The ^veary sufferer bore, 
And often angel voices called 

Far from tlie sliinino^ shore : 

"Give np the toil, the rack, the pain; 

Leave all that weight of woe; 
Come, join ns in eternal rest, 

And let your burden go." 

But steadfast to his trust he stood: 

''My people need me still!" 
And 'gainst the grim old ferryman 

He threw his f^iant will. 

But then there came one fearful da}', 

When science stood a^^-hast. 
And owned that for the President 

This day must be the last. 



10 OUR PRESIDENT. 

Tearful and pale tliey sought his wife ; 

Gently the words they said, 
That ere another sun had set, 

Her husband would be dead. 

lihig out the bells, for a woman's fame! 

Let them ring far and wide ! 
But for a Avoman's steadfast faith, 

Our Chieftain then had died! 

Pj'oudly she stood up in their midst, 

Calmly she looked aroimd; 
Of cry, or shriek, or woman's moan. 

She uttered not a sound. 

'' Back to your posts ! ye doubting hearts ! 

]My luisband will not die ! 
Til] death has fully placed his seal, 

Your deftest measures try. 



THE PRESIDENT. 17 

^' Go back, and ^vork ^vith lieart and liopo, 
AVatch till liis Latest breath; 

He has won so many earthly fights, — 
Go, help him conquer death! 

^'To-morrow's sun will rise \ii>on 

God's own especial day : 
How can a life be lost, for ^vhich 

Full iifty millions pray?" 

The doctors turn; a woman's faith 
Has nerved them once again; 

And, ^vith a silent prayer for help. 
They seek the bed of pain. 

Oh, miracle of miracles ! 

Oh, potent power of prayer! 
They look into the sick man's face, 

And find fresh courage there. 



1 8 THE PRESIDENT. 

The mist of deatli has left his eye, 
His mind is strong and clear; 

And Avords of patient, cheerful trust 
Fall on each listening ear. 

^•Anotlier station gained and passed! 

How many more to come ? 
Ctui M'Q expect, in sncli a race, 

Not to be stopped at some ? 

''Oh, for a glimpse of our quiet home, 

A breath of Mentor air ! 
Surely I shall get well again. 

If you can take me there ! 

''Dear wife, your cheek is growing ])a]t' 
•And Mother's heart will break, 

If I die so far away from home ; 
I'll live for her dear sake. 



OUR PRESIDENT. 19 

'Mnd our cliildreii, Heaven bless them, 

Sigh for the good old farm; 
They will think the White-House splen- 

Has only brought us harm. [doi- 



a 



Please God, we'll meet too^ether 
'Xeath the home roof ouce aeain : 
A.nd with all my dear ones round me, 
I shall soon forget this pain.'' 



Far off, in that Ohio home, 
His aged mother dwells, 

And every day, to friendly ears, 
Her simple story tells. 

Proudly recalls his boyhood's toil, 
His lessons learned with care, " 

His college prize, his fervent speech 
Within the house of ]:> raver. 



20 OUR PRESIDENT. 

Hi.s early fame, liis statesmansliii), 

His soldierly career, — 
And the crowning glory of Lis life, 

AVliieli ]nade liini ruler here. 

But most slie loves to dwell upon 

That moment of her bliss. 
When on her lips, amid his pomp, 

She felt his loving kiss ; 

Heard the low-^vhispered words he spake, 

A blessing and a prayer, — 
AYhile from his eye a grateful tear 

Fell on her silver hair. 

A shadow steals across her heart, 

A sadness dims lier eye. 
She trembles e'en amid her joy, 

There's dano:er lurkiniz niixh. 



OUR PRESIDEXT. 21 

The deep strong chord of mother-love, 

Vibrates with sudden fear, 
'• Something has happened to my boy! 

You will not let me hear. 

•'He may be statesman, soldier, chief. 

He's still a boy to me. 
The baby that in childhood's hour, 

I cradled on my knee. 

" You've heard bad news, I know it ; 

You look so scared and white ; 
Why is it that- the papers 

Are all kept out of sight ? 

" I've felt more trouble coming. 
Since the day your uncle died. 

And fear for James. I'm sorry now, 
I ever left his side. 



22 OUK TRESIDENT. 

'•I don't think folks Avould liarni liiiii, 
AVitli liis gray-kaired mother neai', 

.Vnd I ])e<x2:ed him to ke careful, 
But James always lamj^ked at fear. 

^' Somebody tried to kill him ? 

AVliy, he never did tlunn ^yvc^u^ I 
]\ly blessed boy, my baby — 

Tlioiigk ke's grown so tall and strom!'. 

'• It cannot be. No mortal man 

Could act so foul a part ! 
The skot not only 2:)ierced my boy. 

It struck tke nation's heart. 

" Wliere was tke Fatker's watchful c^yc 

That ever since his birth 
Has sheltered him, and placed kim'mid 

Tlh^ fnvoi-ed ones of earth ? 



OUR PRESIDENT. '2:\ 

''Let me go nurse Liin. Doir t you know, 
I've niu'secl liim all Lis life ? 

Yes, true I liave grown old of Lite ; 
TLank God lie Las Lis wife. 

" Almost four score ! I little tLougLt, 

TLat I sLould see Lim die ! 
But if Le goes, we'll meet again 

In tLat sweet bye-and-bye. 

'' It seems so dreadful, after all 

TLe battles Le Las f ouglit ; 
TLe blow is Lard, God give me strengtL 

To bear it as I ougLt. 

" Let me recall my Lusband's words, — 

His fatLer long since dead, 
WLo, amid all Lis suffering. 



^o often calmly said^ 



24 orji rKEsiDP:xT. 

*' 'God knowetli best, my darling wife, 
Though chastening seenieth sore, 

'Twill prove in some sweet after-time, 
Only one blessing more. 

" ' Be hopeful and l)e patient still, 

And trust Him to the end. 
For every grief and loss in life. 

He'll compensation send.' 

''May be He will ; Til trust Him yet. 

There, put my woi*k away ; 
While James is sick, I cannot sew, 

I'll only wait and ^iray." 

So, patient through long summer days, 
The trusting heart waits on, 

Standing upon the threshold oft, 
For tidino-s of lier son. 



OUR PRESIDENT. 25 

AVliile slowly througli the murky lieat 
His life-blood ebbs mid flows, 

And the heroic sufferer, 
No hour of respite knows. 

In other lands beyond the sea, 

The fearful story spread. 
And sympathy from prince and peer, 

Flew to the sick man's bed. 

There's scarce a hamlet in the world. 
But sent some word of cheer, 

And messages of earnest hope 
Were carried far and near. 

No longer thoughts of party lines. 

Or i^etty party strife. 
Divide the land where one and all 

Mourn for this precious life. 



2G OUR PRESIDENT. 

Sii]>remt^ a\ illiiu the nation's heart, 
Our martyred Chieftain stands; 

God grant the people may vSustain 
His just and wise commands. 

]\Ia}' ])eace o'er the dear Mentor home, 
Once more its mantle spread, 

Ilallo^red by sacred memories. 
Of the beloved dead. 

This cruel dispensation seemed 

So needless to be sent ; — 
A crime the loving Father 

Could so easily prevent, 

Has tortured many Christian hearts, 
And filled the land with gloom. 

While, deep within a prison cell, 
The nmrderer waits his doom. 



OUR PRESIDENT. '27 

Surely a man so iiiiicli beloved 
Might have been spared the rod; 

But those who suffer most on earth 
Are best beloved of God. 

Did ever sinner in the past 

Secure a martyr's crown? 
AVhile daily to a martyr's grave 

The saints in Christ went down. 

Closed to our earthly, finite sense, 

Is Grod's mysterious grace ; 
But when, upon that farther shore, 

We meet Him face to face. 

We shall His wisdom comprehend, 

His loving-kindness know; 
And all thins^s will be clear and brii^lit 

Which seemed so dark below. 



2'S oril PRKSIDKNT. 

The tliouglit sustains our breaking lieai'ts, 
Beneath this chasteninir rod, 

Our martyr wears a radiant crown, 
Within the courts of God. 

Weep not for him ! fi'om earthly fame, 
In Christ-like stature gro^vn, 

He mounts, while angels welcome him, 
Up to the great AVhite Throne. 

September, 20, 1881. 



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